KISSING Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

kissing

verb

present participle of kiss

as in cuddling

to touch one another with the lips as a sign of love it's traditional for couples to kiss under the mistletoe at Christmastime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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as in brushing

to pass lightly across or touch gently especially in passing a gentle breeze kissing the water's surface

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of kissing The brother-sister duo made headlines at that ceremony for kissing on the lips on the red carpet. — Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Jones is accused of committing nine offenses against the man, including kissing him multiple times without consent and touching the man’s genitals while the man was driving. — ABC News, 3 Aug. 2026 They were seen walking arm in arm in Rome last summer, and celebrity gossip account Deuxmoi also reported that Styles and Kravitz had been spotted kissing at Rita’s in London the week prior. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Aug. 2026 The bronze is reportedly stained lipstick-pink from fans kissing it. — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 But on Thursday, a TikToker posted a video of a pair kissing on a bench in New York City’s Central Park. — Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 28 July 2026 The day before, he was accused of kissing and fondling a 15-year-old girl who was on the team, KTUL reported. — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 26 July 2026 In a new photo shared to Instagram Stories, Gomez posed with Blanco kissing her cheek on a sandy beach under the moon. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 26 July 2026 On the same day Gilson sought protection, the mother of a 15-year-old girl filed a separate protective order alleging Duffey, a youth basketball coach, was seen kissing and fondling the teen while alone with her. — Staff Reports, Oklahoman, 25 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing

Verb

The pair were spotted dining together at a restaurant table and cuddling up in sweet selfies.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 4 Aug. 2026
In the living room of their Englewood home, the Bennett family listens to records while cuddling with their cats.

— Eleni N. Gage, Architectural Digest, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of cuddling

Verb

After schlepping his way up to P-town, spying on Nancy smooching a guy from work, and being thrown out of a local eatery known as the Flagship for drunken assholery, Bourdain begins his journey in earnest.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
The late-night host has been on a hilarious smooching spree during his second-to-last week on the air, kissing several guests in recent days.

— Brendan Morrow, USA Today, 13 May 2026

Definition of smooching

Verb

The Anza-Borrego Foundation doesn’t want the high-voltage lines touching any portion of the park.

— Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Aug. 2026
After the pod places the package on the ground, the patient can collect it without touching the drone or the delivery pod.

— Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of touching

Verb

The couple didn’t shy away from PDA and were photographed kissing, hugging and laughing.

— Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026
While the coaster’s wheel assembly can be seen hugging the side of the track to secure it in place on cars 1, 4, and 5, the same wheel mechanism isn’t visible on the side of the track under cars 2 and 3.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of hugging

Verb

In one clip obtained by People at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2025, Parker is seen snuggling up to a puppy when Cooper approaches them.

— Giovana Gelhoren, InStyle, 16 July 2026
McLaughlin-Levrone shared more photos of her and her husband snuggling with Savannah on her Instagram Stories.

— Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026